Now, to the huge Arsenal v Chelsea match on Sunday.

This will be a London derby that will knowingly ignite the 60,000+ Arsenal faithful in Emirates Stadium. Chelsea comes in unbeaten or untied in the Premier League after two matches, but so are the Gunners, who have not allowed a single goal after two matches.

Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain on the injured list, but Bruno Guimaraes will be back in the starting XI.

With that said, here is my predicted starting XI for Mikel Arteta on the weekend…

[4-3-3]

Tzolis, Gyokeres, Saka

Rice, Odegaard, Lewis-Skelly

Calafiori, Gabriel, Konsa, White

Raya

Predicted final score: ARSENAL 2 – Chelsea 1

COYG!

Gunner1953

Should we be disappointed, sure, why not, but at the end of the day we remain rich with strikers in Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino. Plus, the squad doesn’t need a player who really has no real desire to play here.

The Gunners summer transfer window can be graded as a B+.

The new signings include Bruno Guimaraes, Illian Meslier, Christos Tzlois, Ezri Konsa and Piero Hincapi, who signed a permanent deal after his one-year loan at Arsenal.

The guys leaving were Gabriel Martinelli (Al-Hilal), Leandro Trossard (Besiktas), Fabio Vieira (Hamburger SV), Gabriel Jesus (Barcelona), Christian Norgaard (Everton), Jakub Kiwior (Porto), Karl Hein (Werder Bremen) and Reiss Nelson (Free agent).

Arsenal has sent Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Borussia Dortmund, as well as Tommy Setford to Stevenage.

The Premier League’s twenty clubs spent a league record $4.33-billion (USD) on transfers this summer.

Now, the teams are set until January, but of course there are always those last minute exceptions.

The games have begun, and now the focus will be exclusively on the pitch, and less on the front office’s wheelings and dealings.

Good job Mr. Berta.

COYG!

Gunners1953

Arsenal is off to a good early season start, but will be tested by an Unai Emery club that was throttled on Match Day 1, 4-0, by Brighton and Hove Albion. However, you can never overlook an Emery-led squad when it comes to this fixture.

With that said, here’s my predicted starting XI for Mikel Arteta on Monday…

[4-3-3]

Tzolis, Havertz, Saka

Rice, Odegaard, Lewis-Skelly or Guimaraes

Calafiori, Gabriel, Mosquera, White

Raya

Predicted final score: Aston Villa 1 – ARSENAL 2

COYG!

Gunner1953!

Below are Arsenal’s seven opponents. Four matches will be played at home, and four away,

The first match will kick-off September 8th, 9th or 10th for Arsenal, with the official schedule to be announced later.

Real Madrid

Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund

Real Betis

Napoli

Sabah

Slavia Prague

On the women’s side, Olivia Smith was named the Women’s Young Player of the Season. She won this award last year as well.

Alessia Russo, Emily Fox and Mariona Caldentey were selected once again for the PFA Women’s Team of the Year.

From the men’s team, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba  were honored as members of the PFA Men’s Team of the Year.

Congratulations to all!

COYG!

Gunner1953

Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, or maybe even Julian Alvarez?

After two matches played, Havertz has been in the starting XI as the team’s striker. Gyokeres played clean-up in the Community Shield, while Merino subbed for Havertz in the second half v Coventry City.

It appears, the big Swede might be on the club’s transfer bubble. Will he be part of a deal that sees Alvarez come to North London while Gyokeres goes to Atletico Madrid plus cash in a trade for the Spanish front man? With the exception of Bukayo Saka, it appears Mikel Arteta is attempting to rebuild his attacking front three.

Christos Tzlois has come in from Club Brugge and has had an immediate impact, replacing the departed Leandro Trossard, and the soon to be departing Gabriel Martinelli. Does Arteta think Gyokeres is expendable as well, and that Havertz is more valuable as a utility player.

Alvarez’s only escape route currently from Atletico Madrid is Arsenal. The Spaniard wants to go to Barcelona, but Atletico will not sell him to a major La Liga competitor such as Barca. Meanwhile, Arsenal is ready to cough-up record transfer fee dollars for the striker. Until a deal is done, or not done, Arsenal remains in wait and see posture. The summer window closes on September 1st.

I love the work rate Gyokeres brings to the pitch, but if I had a choice, I would definitely go with Alvarez in the middle of the Arsenal front line.

COYG!

Gunner1953